Tag Archives: #investments

New Sushi Roll Concept Hits Stockholm

We all have busy lives and there is no changing that perception until retirement. It’s just a plain fact that today’s society demands everything in an instant, so who really has the time to wait, especially when it comes to grabbing a “quick” healthy bite to eat.
Here in Stockholm “grab-and-go” m…

Read more on Life as an investment >> http://lifeasaninvestment.com/money/entrepreneurship/new-sushi-roll-concept-hits-stockholm/

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Do you invest? How do you invest?

In Sweden, declaration (tax returns) time has come again. Every citizen earning an income, recently received a large yellow form from a local taxation office reminding us to submit all sources of revenue, as well as expenditures. This year my income consisted of the usual source—my job and the firm that I own. However, there was a new entry included among my income sources—revenue from rising stock shares! The value of my portfolio rose 19% from last year. Smart girl!

How smart women invested in 2013?

“How smart women invest,” for me, was an interesting experience. Back in November of 2013, a friend of mine invited me to a seminar. It was more or less a breakfast meeting comprised of smart women, and Barbara Stewart, a researcher and portfolio manager from Canada, travelled here to Stockholm to share her financial insight and wisdom. The event was organized by NASDAQ OMX.

Barbara, an elegant and charming woman, revealed to us information about what motivates smart women to invest, and how they make an investment decision. For her research, she talked to 100 smart women who work in corporate positions such as CFO, CEO, senior managers, and directors from around the globe regarding attitudes about investing.

According to Barbara’s research:

  1. Women invest with a worldly concept in mind—saving families, saving the planet, and saving their souls.
  2. Women invest in their children and their children’s future.

One of Barbara’s the most important findings were:

Women are ready to take the risks!

Women take calculated risks. Before the actual investment, they do their homework and study the market/company/ product/etc…

Another important finding was that women love to listen to stories; it’s how they learn about their own lives, and of course how they learn to invest.

Barbara then got me thinking and analyzing about my own investment decisions. My example only confirms her findings: the first stocks I bought in the beginning of 2013 were Episurf Medical, a company that designs and produces individually customized implants–cartilage replacement in the knee, for example. Of course, as with every woman, there’s a story behind it.

My grandmother, the person I adored and loved the most, died 2 years ago. It all started with pain in her knees. It was agonizing; the doctors did not advise surgery because of her age and weight, as well as lack of technology. Unfortunately, two years later we lost her. About a year after that, my father discovered a similar problem with his knees. He actually did undergo surgery, but the technology was outdated and he still has problems with the same pain persisting to this day.

Of course, the first company I thought about to invest in was Episurf. I already lost one close person and I have a father that is in pain every day. I, as any other smart woman, invested with my soul to protect my family and myself, for the future.

According to the increased value of my portfolio, it was a win-win situation!

Do you invest? Where do you invest? How do you invest?

Share your tips! All are welcome!

Here is Barbara with her presentation (from another event in Stockholm). Enjoy!


April. ‘It is all about money!’

Some of my readers claim that an investment blog should discuss more about actual money investments, and not only discuss the investment of assets like “time”, “lifestyle,” and “connections.”

Let’s talk about “the real investments”- The process of investing money for profit.

Red Alarm Bulb

Some people say that happiness in life is not all about the destination – it’s more about the process. The same idea applies with “money iA19-E26-socket-Transparent-Incandescent-red-party-sign-lamp-light-bulb-IMG_9950nvestment” – you need to enjoy the process. If you’re not crazy about the idea of investing because of its association with “limitations” and “saving,” and the red alarm bulb consistently appears somewhere in your brain creating mild anxiety, then I would say it’s about time to learn where, how, and how much. This month I will tell you how to find and harness motivation, as well as save at least 10% of your monthly income, leaving you with a fabulous feeling!

 

The ugly truth

The ugly truth is that I am not a disciplined investor. In fact, not at all.  I remember telling my parents that I wish I was born a boy, because then my only option would be the army. The army, as far as I knew, was the only place in the world where discipline is learned.images

The reason why I’m an undisciplined investor is the fact that I’m only human.  I have a bunch of weaknesses, actually. Here it is—the ugly truth: I am a young, curious, active, pretty, communicative woman living in a big, expensive city. I want everything of the best quality, in large amounts, and all at the same time. Does this sound like somebody you know?  Therefore, my dear friends, maybe it’s about that time to stop being Carry Bradshaw and try to find pleasure in investing differently.

There are ways and possibilities to make the investment process cool, creative, interesting and most importantly—profitable. We will discuss them together during the April’s topic: It‘s all about money. 

Let start the ‘ it’s all about money’ show month!


Magic bank account

I remember the day when my teacher of history at school told us that story. The story about “magic bank account” by Marc Levy. I bet many of you have heard that already. But as any wise thought it’s worth to listen to it again…

“Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to used during the day.
What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course?
Each of us has such a bank, it’s name is time. Every morning, it credits you 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off at a lost, whatever of this you failed to invest to a good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing against “tomorrow”. You must live in the present on today’s deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and health. The clock is running. Make the most of today.” 
― Marc LevyIf Only It Were True

Today is Sunday – enjoy every hour, every minute as every cent… Invest 😉

Find inspiration how to spend your weekend in our article  10 Ingredients for the Perfect Weekend

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Friday people vs. Monday people

Officially, Friday arrives in the morning when I open Facebook—and that’s when the majority of my friends are posting pictures and status updates for one single purpose: to share with the world that Friday has finally Rolled Up!

Why is Friday so worthy?

monday-blues

For many folks Friday is rightfully the end of a week worth of prison time—popularly known as “the job.” So, Monday’s are always the first day of going to prison.

Most of us tend to dash out of the office at exactly 5 p.m. every Friday (yep, happens here in Sweden too), or even earlier if the opportunity arises. So, for the most part when the office door is closed and the badge comes off—thankfully, life begins again. Friday symbolizes a chance:

  • To rest with the family.
  • To get drunk because we have Saturday and Sunday to recover.
  • To fly away on a mini vacation.
  • To hit the clubs, meet up with friends, etc.
  • To do something we really like.

Does this mean that some of us don’t really like what we do for a living? Probably not. Actually, I don’t think I have ever met a person who was completely delighted with their job and didn’t look forward to FRIDAY.

Ordinarily the people who are fans of their jobs are usually self-employed, and of course do not mind the inevitable Monday morning. Individuals who have managed to turn a passion into a profession are also likely to look forward to the first day the week (Monday).

They love Monday’s because it represents new possibilities to develop their knowledge and skills, to create something new, or to continue doing what they do until the stupid weekend forces delays. They happily check-in at their work place, post pictures from corporate meetings and presentations—smiling all week long.

friday-i-thought-you-would-never-come

Of course, both Friday and Monday lovers have occasional problems at work, but imagine how different these two minds approach and tackle problems!

Who are you: Monday person or a Friday person?

Have you ever thought of why you are this way?

We all need days off—it is essential. Rest is an investment in your health, family and relationships. However, the question is WHEN to rest?

Have you ever felt this way?

 “I have so much to do, but it’s Friday night and I’ve been working all week. I deserved to party! And on Saturday, I’ll take it easy because it’s the weekend.

More often than not, people tend follow the calendar too much by the book. So much that they forget to look at the reality of things. Does it really matter what day of the week it is (if you are able to control your own hours)? If you are free on a Wednesday—take that day off! If you have something important to do on a Saturday—then get it done. Time is everything! So depending on you how you manage it, will ultimately determine your success.

Is your time an investment? Are you in control of it?

 

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